Bicycle-stand



(No Model.)

W. C. MGBURNEY 8: W. M. ROBERTSON. BICYCLE STAND,

' No. 602,665. A Patented Apr. 19,1898.

NHED STATES PATENT TVALTER C. MCBURNEY AND WILLIAM M. ROBERTSON, OF MONTCLAIR, NET/V JERSEY.

BICYCLE-STAND.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent N0. 602,665, dated April 19, 1898.

Application filed January 26, 1897. Serial No. 620,785- (NO model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, WALTER C. MOBUR- NEY, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, and WILLIAM M. ROBERTSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Montclair, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Bicycle-Stands, of which the following is a specification.

The object of our invention is the production of a stand which shall reliably support any of the usual styles of bicycles both drop-frame and diamond, with both wheels clear of the ground and free to be revolved for cleaning or repairs and which shall avoid the use of locking-clamps and be inexpensive, attractive in appearance, and occupy but little floor-space.

It consists in the novel construction and the combination of parts hereinafter more fully described, and then particularly pointed out in the claims.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and show the invention as we have carried it out.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete form of the stand with so much of a bicycle as is necessary to show its position therein. Fig. 2 is a corresponding front elevation without the wheel. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing a simpler and less-expensive form. Fig. 6 is a corresponding side elevation. Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively front and rear elevations of the same. The remaining figures are on a larger scale and show the device for holding the front wheel in alinement. Fig. 9 is a plan view. Fig. 10 is a view from the front, corresponding to Fig. 9; and Fig. 11 is a side view.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, A is the base-a rectangular piece of well-seasoned ash or othersuitable wood-on which the uprights are mounted. The lower portion B of the front upright is of iron, cast for lightness and strength in the form of an A-frame and havingprojecting lugs or feet B, through which pass screws B securing it to the base. The apex of the frame is drilled vertically and receives the cylindrical stern B of a bifurcated standard B, also of metal, held adj ustably thereinbyaset-screwB Thenotchb,forrned by the arms of the fork, is curved at the bottom to receive the lower front tube M of a bicycle-frame and is beveled, as shown by the dotted lines, to approximately match to its angle. The lower part of the rear upright C is somewhat similar in shape, but is shorter. It is held to the base by screws 0 extending through feet 0, and has at the top a hole or socket in which a T-shaped cross 0 is supported and held by a set-screw C The arms 0 of the cross, with the u pwardly-projecting spur 0 form shoulders c c, on which rest the members of the lower rear fork N-one on each side. The width of the spur C and the length of the arms 0 are so proportioned relatively to the space usually found between the members at their junction with the crank-shaft hanger as to prevent lateral displacement and the escape of either member. The spur may for convenience in locating the bicycle properlyon the stand, be slightly tapered, and the shoulders c c, and also the notch Z), are preferably covered with felt or soft leather to avoid marring or scratching the finished surfaces of the bicycle-frame at the points of contact.

The A-frames B and O are connected and braced by a horizontally-extending tie-rod D, passing through a small opening in the front upright and screwed into a hole drilled and tapped to receive it in the front face of the rear upright and adj ustably held by the nuts D D applied one on each face of the upright B.

A simpler and less-expensive construction of the stand is shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8. The uprights B C and brace D are of the same wood as the base A. The shoulders c c and notch b are formed directly upon the upper ends of the uprights, and the adjustments for height are omitted. This form of the invention may be preferable on account of its less cost and will serve equally as well as the form first described with any bicycle to which its dimensions are adapted.

E is a yoke formed by bending sufliciently heavy wire into the form shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 11, like the letter M in shape, but with the reentering angle rounded to more nearly match the inflated tire, to which it lies adjacent. It is mounted in the eyes 13 set in the front face of the frame B near the top, with liberty to swing from the forwardly-projecting position when in use to the perpendicular against the face of the frame. Wb en in the former position, its arms embrace the rim and tire of the front wheel L to prevent its swinging from side to side in the steeringhead. The yoke is maintained in this position by a doWnwardly-proj ectin g loop E,lying against the face of the front upright, and it is held in the perpendicular position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11 by the frictional contact of the bends E with the same surface. The friction is sufficient to hold the yoke against the force of gravity while placing the bicycleon the stand, but allows it to be easily turned down for use, as described.

The points of engagement of the stand with the bicycle-frame are so selected that although the bicycle is supported from below its center of gravity lies in a line passing between the shoulders c c and notch 12 and still below the latter, and its upright position is maintained, aided by the angularity of the frame members between the points of support and also by the base presented by the lower rear fork upon the shoulders. This condition permits the omission of the clamping or analogous devices usually employed and reduces the area of contact between the stand and frame to two supporting-points on the cross and one on the front standard.

The function performed by the yoke E is advantageous in two direotionsfirst, in the saving of room effected by holding the front wheel in line with the rear wheel and frame, and, second, in insuring that the center of gravity shall not be shifted outside the center line, thereby lifting one or the other of the lower rear-fork members from its shoulder 0 and tend to overthrow the bicycle.

Our improved stand supports the bicycle reliably, is always ready for use, requires no unlocking or preparation of clamps to condition it to receive or release the wheel, and occupies little floor-space. Its construction is simple, requiring no skilled labor to produce or assemble the parts.

Modifications may be made in the forms and proportions without departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing its advantages.

Other materials may be employed in the construction instead of those described. The base may be a thin casting.

Other devices for holding the front wheel in alinement may be substituted for the yoke E.

The distance between the uprights may be varied. It is essential only that the points of support be at the lower rear fork in rear of the crank-shaft hanger and on the lower front tube above the center of gravity of the wheel.

We claim 1. In a bicycle-stand, the base and uprights for supporting a bicycle, in combination with the yoke E turning in eyes on the face of one of said uprights, the loop E and bends E all arranged to serve substantially as herein specified.

2. The yoke E, loop E and bends E in combination with a supporting-surface, and the eyes 13 set therein and receiving said yoke -with liberty to turn therein, all arranged to serve with a bicycle substantially as herein specified.

In testimony that we claim the invention above set forth we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

WALTER O. MOBURNEY. IVM. M. ROBERTSON. Witnesses:

RoBT. CONNOR, GEO. W. CASE, Jr. 

